Otto looking to rejoin House in new district

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Former state representative Bill Otto is looking to get back into the Missouri House of Representatives.

In a message sent out this week through email, Otto says “friends, neighbors, and colleagues” have asked him to serve once again, this time in District 65, in St. Charles County.

Otto formerly served as a Democratic member of the House for District 70 before deciding to run for the 2nd Congressional District seat in 2016, where he lost to U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner.

In 2017, he was hired as the executive director of the St. Charles County Democratic Central Committee.

“After a lifetime of service starting when I was a teen in the Navy and continuing through 20 years as an Air Traffic Controller at Lambert, followed by 4 years of service in the Missouri House of Representatives, I’m honored to announce that I am ready, willing, and able to represent you,” he said in the email. “But politics is not about me, it’s about you.It’s time we level the playing field for everyone living in our community and our state.This means delivering a meaningful education that leads to gainful employment and a strong sense of civic responsibility. This means replacing corporate welfare, cronyism, and corruption with a fair and open government. This means better jobs and more opportunities for you and yours.”

Otto said “changing the status quo” won’t be easy, but that together they can focus on what’s important: community, schools, safety, and a positive future.

“I’ll be knocking on doors as I walk our district’s communities in the coming weeks and months.I look forward to meeting you and listening to your concerns and suggestions and working for you,” he wrote. “Together we can reinforce what’s good, fix what’s broken, and build a stronger Missouri.”

Otto would be challenging current incumbent Republican Rep. Tom Hannegan for the seat.

Benjamin Peters is a reporter for the Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine, and also produces the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined the Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield. To contact Benjamin, email benjamin@themissouritimes.com or follow him on Twitter @BenjaminDPeters.

Benjamin Peters is a reporter for the Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine, and also produces the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined the Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield. To contact Benjamin, email benjamin@themissouritimes.com or follow him on Twitter @BenjaminDPeters.